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There’s a pretty nificent one in front of me now too Skyler sits across the table from me at one of the reliable restaurants near—but not too near—the island’s hotels After we dropped the other guests back in toe er and beer—to prove a point Simply to show her why this is one of the top items on my list

We give our order—burgers and beers—and Skyler gushes about today’s adventure until the latter arrives, and she stops to take an appreciative sip and then sighs

“Thumbs-up on one of your items,” she says

“Half of an item,” I amend, and we both settle in a bit with our drinks

“All right,” I say “Beer is here, burger is on the way Nowwhat’s the story with this trip?”

“First, I want to knohere your love ofstrategy comes from”

I shaketo convince you I’uy, am I?”

“Let me think,” she says “No”

“Fine I’o I loved sports as a kid, and all kinds of gaames, like Monopoly, and sports like soccer, and absolutely anything I could do in the water I co, water polo”

“I can see why you think in tery then”

I shrug “So, I approach life the saame, you need to follow the rules”

She nods “That et you now, Caleb” She pauses, tilts her head to the side “Does that seee?”

“Not at all,” I reply, because funny thing—I think she does “Now it’s your turn Tell me about the trip”

“I was originally going to take a trip to do spa-type things It’s le-versary”

“Ah Single for a year?”

Holding up a finger, she clarifies, “Voluntarily single”

“Of course Hence the celebration trip”

“Thank you! Finally, solass between her hands “I needed a break I was in a relationship a year ago that becaht of ain”

I nod, because I do get it “Hence the nized what you needed and did that for yourself”

“Exactly” She takes another sip of beer then places it down on the table “Your turn What’s your dating story?”